Abstract: An internal combustion engine 10 has a cylinder head 11 slideably supporting one or more poppet valves 30. At least a portion of one of the poppet valves 30 in each combustion chamber of the engine 10 forms in combination with one or more secondary electrodes 35, 133, 233, 333, 433 a number of electrode pairs between each of which an electrical discharge is selectively caused to flow so as to initiate combustion in the respective combustion chamber. The electrode pairs may be formed at differing locations within each combustion chamber so as to improve combustion efficiency.

Abstract: A method for improving engine intake manifold pressure control of an internal combustion engine is described. According to one aspect of the description, the manifold pressure may be controlled to reduce fuel consumption and engine emissions during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: A method for controlling valve timing for and engine having adjustable valve timing is presented. In one embodiment, the method allows the intake valve timing to be controlled with respect to exhaust valve timing or the method allows the exhaust valve timing to be controlled with respect to intake valve timing. In addition, the method can bound valve overlap between upper and lower limits so that engine emissions and fuel economy may be improved.

Abstract: A system for communicating information between a first controller and a second controller is presented. The system is designed to improve and increase the robustness data transferred between two controllers.

Abstract: A method for controlling valves during an engine stop is presented. The valves are controlled in a manner that can quiet the engine during a stop. In addition, the valves may be selectively controlled to direct the contents of the cylinder in a desired direction so that engine emissions may be reduced.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a power take off device connected to an internal combustion engine is presented. According to the method, power take off speed control may be improved and the possibility of engine stalling may be reduced.

Abstract: A method for improving engine starting for an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to one aspect of the description, valve timing is adjusted during a start to reduce engine emissions and fuel consumption.

Abstract: A method for starting an engine having fuel injected directly into cylinders of the engine is presented. The method can use multiple injections of fuel to start the engine even when the absolute position of each piston is not known. Furthermore, once the engine is started the individual piston positions can be determined and then the engine can be operated in a conventional manner.

Abstract: A method for controlling stopping and starting of an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to the method engine valves may be used to reduce engine evaporative emissions as well as engine starting emissions.

Abstract: A system and method to control valve timing and valve lift of an engine is described. The intake valve timing can be retarded while the valve is in a low lift or high lift mode. The method can lower engine friction and reduce fuel consumption, at least under some conditions.

Abstract: A method for improving engine intake manifold pressure control of an internal combustion engine is described. According to one aspect of the description, the manifold pressure may be controlled to reduce fuel consumption and engine emissions during at least some operating conditions.

Abstract: A method for improving engine starting for an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to one aspect of the description, valve timing during a start can be set so that combustion stability and emissions may be improved.

Abstract: A system for improving engine operation during a condition of engine controller degradation is presented. According to one aspect of the description, the engine may continue to operate if the performance of one engine controller is degraded.

Abstract: A system for communicating information between a first controller and a second controller is presented. The system is designed to improve and increase the robustness data transferred between two controllers.

Abstract: A system and method for determining valve degradation is presented. According to the method, valve timing can be adjusted in a number of ways to improve the possibility of detecting a degraded valve.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling electromechanical valves operating in an engine is presented. According to the method, armature levitation is strategically used during a cycle of a cylinder. The method can reduce fuel consumption and power supply requirements, at least under some conditions.

Abstract: The description relates to a method for starting a direct-injection internal combustion engine equipped with an engine management system and having n cylinders, in which n pistons oscillate between a top dead center (TDC) and a bottom dead center (BDC), and a crankshaft. It is proposed to set forth a method of the aforesaid type which overcomes the known disadvantages inherent in the state of the art known, the particular intention being to achieve a shortening of the starting times.

Abstract: A method for controlling valves during an engine stop is presented. The valves are controlled in a manner that can quiet the engine during a stop. In addition, the valves may be selectively controlled to direct the contents of the cylinder in a desired direction so that engine emissions may be reduced.

Abstract: A method for controlling stopping and starting of an engine having a variable event valvetrain is described. According to the method engine valves may be used to reduce engine evaporative emissions as well as engine starting emissions.

Abstract: A method for improving engine position sensing of an internal combustion engine is described. According to one aspect of the description, the determination of engine position may be improved by correcting rotational position of the internal combustion engine at a number of engine locations.